Congresswoman Cheri Bustos is co-sponsoring legislation that aims to make the university experience safer. The 17th District Congresswoman is one of about 20 representatives introducing the House version of the Campus Safety and Accountability act.
The measure focuses on protecting students and standardizing practices regarding sexual assault on college campuses. The bill seeks to hold colleges and perpetrators accountable in a consistent way on campuses nationwide. Bustos says there’s an epidemic of sexual assault going unaddressed.
“Our bill takes a look at making sure that there’s Memorandum of agreement with local law enforcement. So they’re not just handled at a college level or for instance by an athletic department when there’s a sexual assault.”
The bill outlines stiff penalties for non-compliant colleges and universities with new standards for training, student surveys, data collection and sharing.
Additional provisions of in the bill include requiring universities to designate confidential advisors who coordinate survivor support services while reporting the crime to campus authorities and local law enforcement.